Los Angeles Boat Accident Lawyer
Boating is a popular pastime in California, particularly in Los Angeles, which usually enjoys warm weather and clear skies throughout the year. While these conditions are great for boating enthusiasts, they also lead to increased water activity, which leads to more boating accidents compared to other coastal states. If you or a family member have suffered injuries caused by the negligence or recklessness of another boater then contact a Los Angeles boat accident lawyer from Learner and Rowe immediately.
You can call the Los Angeles personal injury attorneys at Lerner and Rowe for a free consultation at 310-INJURED. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you.
Los Angeles Boat Accident Stats and Causes
The California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) reported 593 boating accidents in 2021, which led to 256 injuries and 44 fatalities. One of the biggest causes of Los Angeles boat accidents is inexperience. The DBW claims that out of the 670 boat operators involved in 2021 accidents, only 29 reported they had taken a state boating safety course and only 40 reported that they had a California Boater Card. Out of the 40 operators who had a California Boater Card, zero were involved in a fatal boating accident.
Other common causes of California boat accidents include:
- Operator inexperience
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeding
- Lack of safety equipment
- Defective parts
- Boating under the influence: the DBW claims that alcohol was involved in 35% of boating fatalities between 2012 and 2016 when alcohol testing was conducted
Boating Accident Compensation
Many injury victims underestimate the amount of money that they’re entitled to following a California boat accident. This is a major reason why you should work with a Los Angeles boat accident attorney. Lerner and Rowe’s experienced lawyers have helped boat accident victims receive compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing treatment and physical therapy
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of property, such as damage to your boat
California Boating Laws
Boating operators are required to follow safety rules and procedures in regard to their passengers, other boats, water skiers, people riding personal watercraft (Jet Skis, Ski-Doos, etc), and people on docks or on the shoreline. They’re required to look out for situations that are potentially hazardous, including traffic on the water, wakes, waves, and submerged objects.
They’re also required to have various safety devices onboard. In some cases, such as boating at night without navigation lights, being unequipped could easily result in a crash with other watercrafts, the shore, or unseen objects and barriers in the water. In other instances, lacking basic first aid equipment or a delay in transport to land after an injury might make the victim worse after an accident. The specific safety devices required can depend on the size of the boat and whether it’s being operated in a lake, river, or coastal waters, but requirements include:
- Life jackets
- Navigation lights
- A fire extinguisher
- A way to make a sound signal
- Ventilation ducts on the boat
If you’ve been in an accident and your injuries were caused or exacerbated by the boat owner’s lack of safety equipment then they may be liable for your injuries. Lerner and Rowe can help explore your options and build a case designed to win you the highest settlement possible.
Contact a Los Angeles Boat Accident Lawyer
While some boat accidents are blameless, many are caused by another party’s actions or inactions. If you were injured through no fault of your own then you owe it to yourself to contact a Los Angeles boat accident attorney from Lerner and Rowe to make sure that you get the money that you deserve. With more than 240 years of experience winning billions of dollars for injury victims in Los Angeles and beyond, you can be confident that our lawyers will take care of you.
You can reach Lerner and Rowe by phone at 310-INJURED or through the Internet via LiveChat and secure contact form. Our firm works under a “no fee promise,” which means that you don’t pay a single cent unless we’ve recovered money on your behalf. For unmatched legal services backed by renowned customer service, Lerner and Rowe is the way to go.